Process for the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

A process for the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., reacting an alkylating agent, preferably an olefin, with an aromatic hydrocarbon. The process uses a novel catalyst prepared by subjecting alumina to an anhydrous tetravalent titanium fluoride complex of an organic compound selected from the group of organic compounds containing at least one methoxy group per molecule of organic compounds having at least one electron donor atom and double bond per molecule, and heat treating the resulting impregnated alumina in an inert atmosphere.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. A process for the catalytic conversion of an aromatic hydrocarbon comprising contacting the aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst which is prepared by: (a) impregnating alumina with a complex of anhydrous titanium fluoride and an organic compound containing at least one methoxy group per molecule or an organic compound having at least one electron donor atom and double bond per molecule; and   (b) heat treating the resulting impregnated alumina in an inert atmosphere.   
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein said organic compound is methanol. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein said organic compound is 2-methoxyethanol. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein said organic compound is 2-methoxypropene. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein said heat treating is performed at a temperature between about 50° C. and about 1000° C. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1 wherein said inert atmosphere comprises nitrogen. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1 wherein said heat treating is performed at 250° C. to 650° C. for 10 minutes to 10 hours. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 1 wherein the alumina has an apparent bulk density of about 0.3 to about 0.8 g/cc and a surface area of about 1 to about 500 m 2  /g. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalytic conversion is isomerization of an alkyl aromatic compound. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 9 wherein a mixture of xylene deficient in at least one xylene isomer is isomerized to an equilibrium mixture of xylenes. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalytic conversion is transalkylation of alkyl aromatic compounds. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 11 wherein toluene is transalkylated to benzene and xylene. 
     
     
       13. The process of claim 11 wherein ethylbenzene is transalkylated.